Academics - Department of Occupational Therapy

Department of Occupational Therapy

USciences is one of only a handful of universities in the
United States to offer an accelerated
pathway to the clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) for
students entering directly from high school.
We also offer both a Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Professional DrOT
option, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Master of Occupational Therapy degree
path. Our OT programs give you the necessary cutting-edge knowledge and skills
to make an impact on a broad range of patient/client problems. The
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education required all graduates
of OT programs to have a minimum of a Master’s degree. USciences’ OT will put
you ahead of the game, setting you up to be a leader in the burgeoning and
exciting field of occupational therapy.

Meaningful, Goal-Directed Activities

Occupational therapy schools focus on helping people with physical,
developmental and behavioral disabilities participate effectively in meaningful
and goal-directed activities. Occupational therapists work in medical and
nonmedical settings. Occupational therapy is seeing strong growth in its
administration in community-based settings, such as schools, outpatient
facilities, and senior centers. Effective training is essential. The USciences
OT department strives for innovative teaching and leadership goals for our
students.

Why University of the Sciences Should Be Your First Choice

Our four different entry options offer flexibility to begin your occupational therapy career when it fits your personal goals.

Our freshman entry option is one of only a few offered in the United States.

You take six intervention courses rather than the typical two or three offered by other occupational therapy programs.

You benefit from involvement in grant-funded projects with noted professors. Often this can result in collaborative presentation at national and regional conferences.

We embrace a vision of community service and student leadership.

Graduates from USciences have provided the healthcare world with quality, driven professionals who make a difference in the lives of those they assist.

Accreditation

Both the Master in Occupational Therapy program (MOT) and
the Accelerated Pathway and Post-Baccalaureate clinical Doctorate of
Occupational Therapy (DrOT) options are fully accredited by the Accreditation
Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). ACOTE is recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education.

Licensure

Effective 2014, all states in the United States require a license
to practice occupational therapy. Each state
also has specific legislation describing the process for obtaining a license to
practice and specific licensure application requirements. The primary
criterion for obtaining a license in any state is passing the National Board
for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. In addition, the
NBCOT examination is widely recognized throughout the world. In order to be eligible to take the
certification exam, you must complete all MOT or DrOT program
requirements and all fieldwork must be satisfied within eighteen months of completion of
the academic work. Please note that a a felony conviction may delay or prohibit certification
through NBCOT and could prevent state licensure. For more information, refer to www.nbcot.org

Since
2012, the occupational therapy program has implemented several initiatives to improve
the first-time pass rate on the NBCOT examination that have had a positive
impact. We are pleased to report that the pass rate for both 2013 and 2014 is
100%. These initiatives are ongoing.